Draft connection for electric locomotives



July 28, 1925.

A. W. BRUCE DRAFT CONNECTION FOR ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES Filed Dec. 24. 1923 a "a E N W W Patented July 28, 1925.

nairao sraras ALFRED V. BRUCE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DRAFT CONNECTION FOB, ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES.

Applicatioirfiled December 24, 1923. Serial No. 682,556.

'1 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED W. BRUCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York,

have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Draft Connections for Electric Locomotives, of which improvement the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to means for connecting the individual units of multiple unit type electric locomotives, and its object is to provide simple and eflicient means whereby said units may be coupled up in multiple without liability to accidental de tachment, and without dropping the couplers and other draft gear attachment.

The improvement is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of the adjoining portions of two of the units of a multiple unit type electric locomotive; and, Fig. 2, a plan view, partly in section, of the same.

In the practice of my invention, referring descriptively to the specific embodiment thereof which is herein exemplified, a convex faced chafing plate, 1, is secured to the outer face of each of the adjoining end sills, 2, 2, of two units, A and B, of a multiple unit type electric locomotive, and a chafing iron, 3, the transverse faces of which are concavely curved in correspondence with the curvature of the chafing plates, is interposed between them. The chafing iron is formed in two sections, connected by a through bolt, 41, which extends transversely to the longitudinal middle planes of the units, A and B, of the locomotive, and passes through shims, 5, interposed between the sections of the chafing iron, on the outer ends of which, the bolt, 4, bears, by a head, 1, and nut, 1 The width of the inner ends of the chafing iron is such as will serve to separate the chafing plates, 1, 1, one from the other, for such distance as may be desired, to space the units, A and B. apart, and accord with the length of a draw bar, which distance may be increased or diminished, as may be required, by the removal or insertion of one or more shims.

The draft strains on the units, A and B, are carried by a draw bar, 6, having eyes at its ends which are coupled to pins, 7 and 7, on said units, and the chafing iron is adjusted, as above described, to enable the draw bar to be brought into engagement with said pins. The units, A and B, are also connected by M. C. B. couplers, 8 and 8 secured to yokes, 9 and 9, and connected, in the ordinary manner, to the bodies of the units, A and B. In normal operation, the couplers are not subjected to any draft strains, but act as a safety appliance to prevent the separation of the units, in the event of the breakage of the draw bar, as well as serve for the connection of the units to cars, when used individually in switching service, etc.

My invention attains the advantages of eliminating the making the coupling of the members a shop job; of providing a safety appliance to prevent accidental detachment of the members; and of enabling adjustment to be readily made when. required, to take up wear of the draw bar pins and the bushings of their sockets.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a multiple unit electric locomotive, the combination, with two units thereof, of chafing plates fixed on the adjoining ends of said units; a chafing iron, interposed between said chating plates; a draw bar, connecting said units, and subject to draft strains; and couplers, of the M. C. B. type, independently connecting the units, and normally exempt from draft strains.

2. In a multiple unit electric locomotive, the combination, with two units thereof, of chafing plates, fixed on the adjoining ends of said units; a chafing iron, interposed be tween said chafing plates; a draw bar, connecting said units, and subject to draft strain; couplers, of the M. O. B. type, independently connecting the units, and normal 1y exempt from draft strain; and means for adjusting the spacing width of the chafing 1ron.

8. In a multiple unit electric locomotive, the combination, with two units thereof, of chafing plates, fixed on the adjoining ends of said Units; a two section chafing iron, interposed between said chafing plates; shims, interposed between the sections of the chat ing iron; :1 through bolt, adjustably connecting said sections and shims; a draw bar, connecting the units and subject to draft sti'ainsyzind couplers, of the M. C. B. type independently connecting the units, and '1'101 molly exempt from drait strains.

4. A chafing iron for multiple unit elee trio locomotives, comprising two concave faced sections; a through bolt, connecting said sections; and an adjusting nut, engaging a thread on said bolt.

ALFRED WV. BRUCE.

"Witnesses:

J. SNOWDEN BELL,

H. L. DOOLEY. 

